pH problems in store?

[shiftingsands]

Hi, Our water is very acid - 5.8 pH. As a total newbie a short time ago when setting up the tank I read that coral sand/ocean rock would raise the pH. So I used both in my 90L. The pH now reads 7.9.

When I set up the 2ft tank 60L I used 2/3 coral sand and 1/3 ordinary aquarium gravel, no ocean rock . The pH in there is also 7.9

I would like to get it down to 7 ish if I can, partly because my plants dont seem to be growing that well and also because I am being sent some precious fish and 7.9 is out of their ideal range.

Is there anything I can do to lower the pH - will replacing the coral sand gradually with another substrate work and should I take out the ocean rock?

Quite soon we will be able to use our other water source - afrom new bore hole, recently sunk. We are still waiting for the pH and other results from that and can of course add any pH or other filters to get it ideal, but it may be a week or two before I can use that source and I think the fish are arriving before that.

Any help would be great - thanks.

 

[trace1]

either that or think bog wood lowers ph levels as well, i know they did in my tank, so suppose you could take out the ocean rock if that highers ph do a water change & maybe add some bog wood. it might be worth a try but i'm sure some1 who knows better will be along soon

 

[shiftingsands]

Thanks, I have two quite large pieces of bogwood already, but I will take out the rock and maybe start relacing the coral sand slowly with ordinary aquarium sand and gravel. I dont want to lower the pH too quickly as I expect that in itself will caus probs for the fish. I'd be happy if I can get it down to 7 or so.
I'll do a small water change every 3 days or so and keep testing the pH to see how I'm getting on.

If anyone reads this and thinks NOOOOOOOO, please tell me.

 

[Griz]

The rock and coral sand are the likely culprits here and I don't see any way around this other than removing it. Peat and bogwood will lower pH safely but I can't see it having much effect with the coral sand in there. I don't envy you trying to replace that sand.

Probably too late for this but... Go with the flow, plenty of people would love to have your water. There are some great fish that would thrive in it. Good luck.

 

[rdd1952]

The pH shouldn't have that much effect on the plant growth. It is more likely that they aren't getting the nutrients they need from the substrate you have. You can use fertilizers to subsidize that. What type fish are you keeping? Most fish can adjust to any pH as long as it is stable.

With a tap pH of only 5.8, I would imagine you have no buffering capacity (low KH) so even small things could possibly lower the pH a good bit. Adding some driftwod will help some as will putting peat in your filter or adding CO2. The CO2 may be your best option as that would help your plants and lower the pH. Other than that, I would suggest removing/replacing some of the coral sand. Just don't take too much out at once as you don't want to cause a large, quick swing in the pH.

 

[shiftingsands]

OK thanks, I shall take out the rock and gradually start removing the sand and replace with new sand from the LFS.

I am a bit scared of using C02 as I have read some horror stories about it all going horribly wrong!!

I have had some living rock soaking in a bucket of our tap water (5.8pH)and wanted to play with my new pH testing gizmo. I tested the pH and lo and behold its 6.7 . It has been in a bucket with about 7L of water for 48 hours, so I am going to experiment and fill the bucket up and see how long it takes for there to be any changes. If I take things slowly (removing the rocks/coral sand) I may be able to get the pH to a better level by putting this living rock in?

I am just a bit worried as the living rock ( it is for F/W) was in my sisters tank when I rescued her fish a month ago and she admits she had disease probs in the past. It has been out of the water for 2 weeks and in the bucket for the last couple of days. Amazingly the java moss is still alive. If I introduce it into the tank could it be detrimental - can disease/parasites etc survive the treatment it has had?

A big thankyou to all that are helping me out.

 

[rdd1952]

I have never heard of living rock for FW. That's not to say it doesn't exist but just never heard of it. Maybe someone else can shed some light on that. You may even want to start a new thread to ask about that.

 

[xamdarb]

how much of a ph difference can fish take.....as in like 2 of 3 of 1 of

 

[shiftingsands]

how much of a ph difference can fish take.....as in like 2 of 3 of 1 of

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I think as long as you lower it very slowly - by no more than .2 every couple of days it would be ok, but you would need to have a very accurate test to make sure you dont change it too quickly. I have just got a battery operated one - which gives very accurate results. Better wait for someone more experienced to answer though - you may do better if you start your own thread about that - it will be seen more quickly by others.

 

[shiftingsands]

RE living rock for freshwater.

I was told it was living rock and great for fry to hide in. Its red brick colour and has lotsand lots of little holes in it and java moss growing on it too. I have noticed it raises pH.

Our water is 5.8pH. I had it sitting in a barrel of water and within 24 hours the pH had risen to 6.6 and no matter how much fresh water I add or take away the pH returns to 6.6 within 24 hours. So, any idea what it is?